The war department is asking for permission from farmers and landowners of Allegan county in insuring successful concentration and training of approximately 17,000 troops of the second army, planned to take place in August. This concentration, which will include both National Guard and Regular Army units, will be the largest in this part of the country since the World war and the only one so far in this locality to involve the use of privately owned land on an extensive scale for maneuver purposes. Maneuvers will begin August 8 and end August 22.

So far as Allegan county's concerned, the principal areas involved are located in Manilius, Heath, Clyde, and Valley townships. The 32nd division (National Guard of Michigan and Wisconsin) commanded by Maj. Gen Guy Wilson of Flint, with headquarters at New Richmond, will be camped chiefly in Manilius. The 33rd division (National Guard of Illinois), commanded by Maj. Gen. Royal D. Keehm will be camped chiefly in Clyde.

Colonel Morris M. Keck, U.S. army, now stationed in Chicago, has been placed in charge of the work of getting permission from farmers and landowners for troops to maneuver and camp on such portions of their land as will not then be bearing crops. Col Kech is to establish immediately and office in Holland armory. In the near future his assistants will begin to call upon farmers and landowners.

Said Colonel Kech, "In the maneuvers in the state of New York last summer 450 farmers gave permission for use of 60,000 acres of privately owned land by more than 20,000 troops. There were only three farmers who refused permission. I am sure that Allegan county farmers are as generous and as patriotic as those of New York. Success of the maneuvers depend upon their co-operation. The United States government will make equitable settlement for all damages that may result from camps and maneuvers. My force will be on the ground before, during, and after the maneuvers and will see that all complaints and damages are taken care of promptly."